Karen M. Briggs OBITUARY Karen Marie Briggs, 70, of Lancaster, and formerly of Allentown, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 17, 2024. Born in Pottsville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth (Gavaletz) Hopkins.
She was married to her beloved husband Donald James Briggs for just shy of 45 years. Karen was a graduate of Pottsville High School and worked for AT&T as a phone operator for over 20 years. She was selfless, giving, and endlessly taking care of everyone around her.
She loved listening to music – especially Jimmy Buffett — and sitting by the beach with a good book, or even just people-watching for as long as the day would allow. More than anything, though, she enjoyed hosting family and friends, and was always the life of the party, with the most contagious laugh you’ve ever heard. In addition to her husband Donald, Karen is survived by her daughter Ashley Lynne Medina (Scott), 3 grandchildren: Greyson, Bellamy, and Wesley Medina; 5 siblings: Charles “Butch” Hopkins (Bern), Patti Tropp, Maryann Bierman (Joseph), Kathleen “Kathy” Decker (partner Larry Kish), and Joanne Horvath (John); and beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please let us honor Karen’s legacy by embodying her beautiful spirit through simple acts of kindness. By spreading love and caring deeply for one another, we can honor the warmth and compassion she shared .